It continues to be an especially rewarding year for Lutton, Bedforshire, UK-based MDC Foods Ltd., which is celebrating its 25th year in business during 2014. On June 12 the Aldi Asia Specialties Hoisin Chicken it supplies the retail chain was named the Retail Product of the Year during the British Frozen Foods Federation’s (BFFA) Annual Awards ceremony in London. The recognition came less than one month after the same product, distributed in 375-gram microwaveable trays, was declared a winner at the Grocer Own Label Food & Drink Awards 2014 competition in the same city.
Michael Cullinane (middle), managing director of MDC Foods, is all smiles as his company has won the British Frozen Food Federation’s (BFFA) Retail Product of the Year Award. Congratulating him are Peter Allan of the BFFA (left) and Harry Yearsley of the Yearsley Group.Headed by Managing Director Michael Cullinane, MDC distributes a wide range of frozen ready meals, vegetables and fruits supplied from factories in Belgium, Portugal and Spain. Crop’s of Ooigem, Belgium, is the exclusive producer of ready meals.
“The Retail Product of the Year is a triumph for both Aldi and for MDC,” said Brian Young, chief executive of the BFFA. “The winning product contains tender pieces of chicken breast, red peppers, water chestnuts and spring onions in a delicious Hoisin sauce. It retails at £1.49.”
The value of the UK frozen retail market for the year to the March 30, 2014, according to the latest data from Kantar Worldpanel, has grown by £750 million over the last three years and is now worth £5.75 billion. At a time when retailers are finding growth difficult to come by, the frozen sector has enjoyed increased sales in each of the last 17 quarters as consumers continue to seek value for money.
MDC’s product was selected among seven Gold winners in as many retail categories. The Aldi Asia Specialties Hoisin Chicken product first took honors in the Best New Poultry-based Product competition before being singled out as the overall winner.
Others products and companies earning Gold status in various categories are listed below.
- Best New Fish-Based Product: Aldi Specially Selected 4 Coquilles St Jacques by Lakeside Food Group Ltd
- Best New Vegetable-Based Product: Asda Chosen by You Broccoli & Stilton Risotto Bakes by Wessex Foods
- Best New Meat-Based Product: Iceland Luxury Pork Loin Rack with an Apple Crust by Iceland Foods Ltd
Best New Pizza, Savories and Savory Bread Product: Dr. Oetker Stoneoven Tradizionale’ Mozzarella Pizza by Dr. Oetker (UK) Ltd- Best New Ice Cream Product: Gianni’s Scrumptious Cherry Ice Cream by Aldi Stores Ltd
- Best New Dessert/Confectionery Product: Conditorei Sweet Dreams’ Stracciatella Torte by Coppenrath & Wiese (UK) Ltd
For the sixth year running, the BFFF Retail Awards were sponsored by the Yearsley Group, which operates a cold storage logistics network and food division in the United Kingdom.
